““the Political”the Political”
Bands, Tribes, Chiefdoms Bands, Tribes, Chiefdoms and and StatesStates
Itsallaboutculture.comItsallaboutculture.com
Professor Alana L. Jolley
Political OrganizationsPolitical Organizations
Uncentralized, egalitarian systems:Uncentralized, egalitarian systems:– BandsBands– TribesTribes
Centralized and formal systems:Centralized and formal systems:– ChiefdomsChiefdoms– StatesStates
BandsBands
Small groups of people: dozen or moreSmall groups of people: dozen or more
Egalitarian Egalitarian
Kin-related, households.Kin-related, households.
Least complicated Least complicated
Nomadic societies.Nomadic societies.
BandsBands
No formal political systemsNo formal political systems
Decisions made by consensus of adult Decisions made by consensus of adult membersmembers
Those who can’t fit in may move to Those who can’t fit in may move to another group if there are kinship tiesanother group if there are kinship ties
Internalized ControlsInternalized Controls
Bands & tribes rely heavily on internalized Bands & tribes rely heavily on internalized controlscontrols
Control is self-imposed by individualsControl is self-imposed by individuals
Deterrents for order: shame, fear of divine Deterrents for order: shame, fear of divine punishment, magical retaliation.punishment, magical retaliation.
Externalized ControlsExternalized Controls
Mixed cultural and social controls.Mixed cultural and social controls.
Positive actions rewards Positive actions rewards behavior.behavior.
Negative actions punish behavior.Negative actions punish behavior.
TribesTribes
Small communities: hundreds or moreSmall communities: hundreds or more
Alliances between villages-many purposesAlliances between villages-many purposes
Economy : crop cultivation, or herdingEconomy : crop cultivation, or herding
Leadership: may have “Big Man”Leadership: may have “Big Man”
The Big ManThe Big Man
This This Big ManBig Man from from New Guinea is New Guinea is wearing his official wearing his official regalia.regalia.
Formal Sanctions
• Formal sanctions may involve regulated combat. Armed dancers in New Guinea tribe demand redress for murder.
Tribal Example in U.S.
• Navajo Tribal Council:• Non-traditional
governing body, required by the U.S. government in order for the Navajo to exercise national sovereignty.
ChiefdomsChiefdoms
Many people, many villagesMany people, many villages
Chief inherits position – for lifeChief inherits position – for life
ChiefChief’’s unites people s unites people
Unstable systemUnstable system--lesser chiefs can take power lesser chiefs can take power by coercion or even by killingby coercion or even by killing
Chiefdom Example: Africa
• A Kpelle chief in West Africa, listens to a dispute in his district.
• Settling disputes is one of the traditional tasks that fall to chiefs among Kpelle people.
StateState
Tens of 1,000’s to millions of peopleTens of 1,000’s to millions of people
Most complex political organizationMost complex political organization
Centralized government, highly bureaucraticCentralized government, highly bureaucratic
States may use force: police, military, laws, States may use force: police, military, laws, judiciary to keep orderjudiciary to keep order
Functions of LawFunctions of Law
Defines relationships among societyDefines relationships among society’’s members s members under various circumstancesunder various circumstances
Allocates authority to employ coercion to enforce Allocates authority to employ coercion to enforce correct behaviorscorrect behaviors
Redefines social relations, and aids in efficient Redefines social relations, and aids in efficient operation by allowing change.operation by allowing change.
A Nation without a State
• The Kurds:
• Most live in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey.
• An example of a nation without a state.